> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.botpenguin.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.botpenguin.com/bots/whatsapp-bot/bot-setup/whatsapp-bot-creation-with-manual-onboarding/create-a-meta-app.md).

# Create a Meta App

### Before You Begin

* You must be logged in to your [Facebook Developer account](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/register). If you do not have one, register at [developers.facebook.com](http://developers.facebook.com) first.
* You can hold a developer or administrator role on a **maximum of 15 apps**. If you have reached this limit, go to your [My Apps](https://developers.facebook.com/apps/) page and remove any apps you no longer use before proceeding.

***

### Step 1: Open the App Creation Screen

1. Go to [developers.facebook.com/apps](https://developers.facebook.com/apps).
2. Click **Create App**.

If this is your first app, you will see a **Create First App** button instead — click that.

***

### Step 2: Choose a Use Case

1. You will be asked to select a use case for your app. Select **Other**.

<figure><img src="/files/V427Mv8ON0dIMsaTROL4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Choose the app type to "Business"

<figure><img src="/files/BfYaaZtlYUylp5rlnHLF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Confirm all details, and then click on "Create App"

<figure><img src="/files/y6SHpxB0hxtdyDgI3vjf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 3: Set Your App Name and Email

1. Fill in the following:
   1. **App Name:** Enter a name for your Meta App. This is for your own reference inside the Meta Developer Dashboard — it does not affect your chatbot's display name.
   2. **Contact Email:** Enter an email address where Meta can send you important developer notifications. This can be different from your Facebook account email.
   3. Click **Create App** to complete this step. Your app will now open in the Meta App Dashboard.

<figure><img src="/files/C8upMDSxuijDC92rxFz8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 4: Request the Required Permissions

1. To use the full functionality of your WhatsApp Bot, your Meta App needs Advanced Access to specific permissions. You request these from inside the Meta App Dashboard.
2. Go to [developers.facebook.com](https://developers.facebook.com/), open your app, and navigate to **App Review → Permissions and Features**.
3. Request Advanced Access for the following permissions:

#### WhatsApp Permissions

| Permission                     | What it does                                                                                                                                   | Dependencies                               |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `whatsapp_business_messaging`  | Allows your app to send and receive WhatsApp messages and access incoming message webhooks                                                     | None                                       |
| `whatsapp_business_management` | Allows your app to manage WhatsApp Business Account settings, templates, phone numbers, and analytics                                          | None                                       |
| `catalog_management`           | Allows your app to create, read, update, and delete business-owned product catalogues — required for WhatsApp Commerce features                | `business_management`                      |
| `business_management`          | Allows your app to read and write with the Business Manager API — required to manage business assets and as a dependency for other permissions | `pages_read_engagement`, `pages_show_list` |

***

#### Dependency Permissions

Because `catalog_management` depends on `business_management`, and `business_management` depends on `pages_read_engagement` and `pages_show_list`, you must also request:

| Permission              | What it does                                                                                                    |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `pages_read_engagement` | Allows your app to read content posted on Pages — required as a dependency for `business_management`            |
| `pages_show_list`       | Allows your app to access the list of Pages a user manages — required as a dependency for `business_management` |

{% hint style="warning" icon="lightbulb" %}
Only request permissions your app actually needs. Requesting unnecessary permissions is a common reason for rejection during Meta's App Review process.
{% endhint %}

***

### What's Next

Once your app is created and permissions are requested, proceed to the next step:

{% content-ref url="/pages/B63gtTrCVccKbdQa7kpc" %}
[Register & Verify your WhatsApp Number](/bots/whatsapp-bot/bot-setup/whatsapp-bot-creation-with-manual-onboarding/register-and-verify-your-whatsapp-number.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

***

### Support

If everything is correct and you are still unable to move forward, write to us at <support@botpenguin.com>. We will respond back within 48 business hours.